The front page is ornately decorated with two borders one on the exterior edge, a block geometric floral and one framing an image in the center of the page, a simple triangle geometric repeat. The image in the center is a Grand Army of the Republic medal, hanging from a thirteen star American flag, placed equidistant over their field, topped by a bald eagle sitting atop two overlapping cannons and canon balls. The Grand Army of the Republic was a national fraternal organization. It was composed of veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.

It details the activities for Memorial Day on the second and third pages starting with a march at 1:30 PM on Main Street, followed by exercises at the cemetery & monument. Evening exercises were to start at 8 PM. At all places they included prayer, addresses, song, and bands playing.

The last page is devoted to honoring deceased soldiers and sailors and gives a list for those at the cemetery. Special sections specifically list those fallen in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. it also points out those in "outside yards" on Ten Rod Road, and the Hodgdon, Bunker, and Stevens yard.

Size: 4.25 W x 6.5" H

Condition. Fair. Corners are folded. Small tear on upper center, on front page. Defaced, interior upper pages " Property of Farmington- New Durham Historical Society." Stain on back page

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

How did the cannons get to where they are, one, in Edgerly Park, and two cannons in the Pine Grove Cemetery?

There is a wonderful archived Historical Farmington, Puddledock Press article written by Marion Gardener about the cannons, their life after use, and how they ended up where they are.

The article reads as folows:

Historical Farmington
BY MARION GARDNER
MM CANNONS DELIVERED TO TOWN

In 1902, through the efforts of the G.A.R., the Brooklyn, N.Y. Navy Yard donated three Parrott caonon to Farmington to be used as decorative pieces in tbe town, the only expense being that the town pay the freight charges.

Among the historical society files Is a record showing these charges were paid by several local business and professional men, among them are the names of W.W. Roberts, the druggist who lived on Garfield Street in the house now occupied by Sgt. Richard Bailey, and that of Dr. H.P. Wheatley, who lived in the Robert Lefavour house on South Main Street.

One of the cannon was placed In the cemetery, one in Edgcrly Park on North Mala Street and the third on the site of the present telephone building. I'm not the name of the area was official, but I found one reference to it as "Little City Park". In 1918 the park ceased to be and the cannon was removed and placed at the foot of Band Stand Hill (the junction of Spring and Central Streets). By 1942 the cannon had out lived it's useful- ness as an ornament and so was removed end added to the war time scrap drive.

It is interesting to note that this particular type of cannon was invented by Robert Parrott, a native of Lee, N.H. and a graduate of West Point. He act only was an inventor, but was also a soldier who became superintendent of the West Point iron and cannon foundry. It was while he was there that he invented the cannon which bears his name, and which was used by the Union army and navy during the war between the states.





  FHS- Kyle Leach]]>
Article: Marion Gardner]]>